The BCSA Sustainability Charter programme encourages steelwork companies to develop sustainability in terms of environmental responsibility and economic viability. It also promotes policies for social progress in areas such as local and community issues, personnel development, equal opportunities and ethical training.
“The audit was rigorous,” explains Rebecca Murfin, SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality) Manager at ECS, “as you would expect for the highest accreditation. All our procedures from procurement, through production to installation, were examined in detail. We also had to be pre-certified to high standards for health and safety, environmental management and quality. There were checks on our energy usage, our vehicle fuels and how we manage the carbon footprint of all our operations. It was a case of no stone unturned!”
ECS also had to show the assessors that its policies were actually published, that they were being followed by all relevant people, and that they were being used to drive constant improvement. Its environmental impact assessments were reviewed, as were its energy control and fleet management policies. Materials sourcing from responsible suppliers was confirmed and the progress of employment and social programmes was checked.
Rebecca again: “Clients are increasingly looking for suppliers with the BCSA accreditations, the Gold standard signifies that we work not only to the highest standards in all that we do, but are always looking for ways to improve further.”
“The Sustainability Charter is wide ranging, auditing many aspects of our operations,” says Rebecca. “It enhances our reputation for protecting the environment and supporting society. It also lets clients know that we are always working to take our standards to ever-higher levels of excellence.”
ECS has BCSA certification for steelwork for many types of installation including bridges and steel frames for buildings, heavy industrial platework, small, medium and large span portals, towers and masts. On a smaller scale, ECS is also approved for sign gantries, stairs, balconies and canopies plus other smaller fabrications, new steelwork and refurbishment projects.
